What is Dry Needling or IMS (Intramuscular Stimulation)?

Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) Or Trigger Point Dry Needling can activate the shortened muscle to relax, alleviating muscular tightness and spasms. To release a tight and contracted muscle, a thin needle is inserted into trigger points or ‘knots’ within a muscle. You are unlikely to feel the needle penetrate the skin. If the muscle is healthy and normal (not tightened or contracted), there will be no pain felt from the needle. However, if the muscle is super sensitive, shortened or dysfunctional, a peculiar sensation will be felt, much like a Charlie horse or a muscle cramp. This sensation is caused by the muscle twitching or grasping the needle. Once this minor discomfort disappears, it will be followed by a feeling of relief and comfort. The goal of IMS treatment is to release the shortened muscle and allow it to relax and return to its normal state, ultimately desensitising the nerve and alleviating the pain.

The chronic irritating pain you may be feeling may be caused by muscles shortening or contracting and pulling on tendons, causing strain as they move. When a muscle is tightened and contracted, pain is felt and your range of motion is restricted.

Relieves Chronic Pain

Get relief from nagging pain that just won’t go away with other treatments like stretching or massage. Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) treatment at Body Restoration, Edmonton, combines a thorough assessment with dry needling treatments, which relieves stubborn, lingering pain.

Releases Tight Muscles

You know that tight feeling in your muscles? It’s that pressure on your nerves that causes some of your pain. Dry needling for pain provides a release from it that you can feel instantly.

Reduces Supersensitivity

Ease your heightened nerve sensitivity and start moving normally again, without having to be on high alert. Dry needling lets you finally move on from that old or ongoing injury.

What Injuries Can IMS physiotherapy Treat?

Live pain free from your aches and pains! IMS physiotherapy treatment is best suited to treat myofascial pain (chronic soft tissue pain that show no visible sign of ongoing tissue damage or inflammation) these can include:

Achilles tendonitis

Arthritic conditions

Chronic Tendonitis or Bursitis

Fibromyalgia

Headaches

Low back pain

Neck pain and whiplash

Patellofemoral syndrome

Plantar fasciitis

Recurrent or Persistent Injuries (including sports injuries)

Repetitive strain injuries

Sciatica/piriformis syndrome

Shin splints

Shoulder injuries (including frozen shoulder)

Spinal disc problems

Tennis/Golfers Elbow

TMJ pain

Torticollis

Whiplash

What Are The Benefits of IMS Therapy?

By targeting the trigger points in the affected area, IMS therapy can:

What is The Difference Between Acupuncture and IMS?

IMS treatment has its roots in traditional Chinese acupuncture but uses current Western medicine’s understanding of the neurophysiology of pain to identify underlying nerve irritations to treat chronic pain issues. IMS therapy uses the same fine needles as acupuncture. However, IMS practitioners use their knowledge of anatomy to target specific needle points. The needle is inserted directly into the site of the affected area. In contrast, acupuncturists insert needles in pre-mapped out points in the body that relate to different parts of the organs and meridians in the body.

What is The Cost of IMS Therapy?

Registered physiotherapists administer our IMS/Dry Needling Therapy, so if you have extended health benefits that include physiotherapy, you may have a portion (or all) of your treatment covered.

Why Choose Body Restoration For Dry Needling or IMS?

When you are suffering from chronic pain, painkillers and other medications only mask the pain to your brain, but does not resolve the root of the problem. At Body Restoration we have certified Gunn IMS qualified physiotherapists that have undergone post-graduate studies in advanced IMS therapy. We collaborate between our physiotherapists, chiropractors, massage therapists and apply IMS therapy as part of your treatment plan. Our team-based approach allows us to bring you the best care possible.

Treatments That Make a Difference

Body Restoration is a collaborative rehabilitation centre in Edmonton, Alberta, offering you high quality care for IMS therapy: full assessments, dry needling treatments, physiotherapy and more.

We are a collective of multiple specialties all under one roof, providing the care you need to make chronic pain a thing of the past.